William Frederick “Fred” Steinegger, 93, passed away on October 8, 2026, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on September 26, 1933, in Jonesboro to Earnest and Myrtle Steinegger.

An exceptional trumpet player, Fred was a member of the Jonesboro High School band and graduated in 1951. He attended Murray State in Kentucky, where he aspired to become a band director and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, a band fraternity, before entering military service.

Fred served in the Army National Guard, training and working at Fort Chaffee and Fort Riley as a clerk-typist and instructor. He later served in the Army in Augsburg, Germany, where he was director of the 18th Field Artillery Group band.

While stationed in Germany, he married his high school sweetheart, Jane Porter, on January 28, 1956, in Munich. Together, they shared 70 years of marriage.

Upon returning to the United States, Fred and Jane settled in Otwell, where he farmed alongside his father. A meticulous farmer, Fred grew rice, soybeans and wheat. After several years on the farm, he and Jane moved to Jonesboro.

Raised in the Nazarene faith, Fred later joined the Methodist Church, where he was an active and devoted servant. His faith and commitment to service were central to his life. He especially enjoyed attending worship services, singing in the choir and serving in leadership roles at the local, conference and district levels.

His commitment to service extended beyond the church. Fred served on the board of directors for Wayland Spring Camp in Imboden and on the Boy Scouts board while attending Huntington Avenue United Methodist Church. He also served on the board of the Farmers Cooperative, as well as numerous other farm-related committees and boards throughout his long career as a farmer.

Fred found great joy in traveling with Jane. He especially enjoyed driving them around the country, visiting Branson, Orlando, Mackinac Island, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Tennessee — particularly Gatlinburg — and many other destinations. He and Jane also made wonderful memories traveling to Canada. One of their most treasured journeys was a return trip to Germany many years after their marriage, giving them the opportunity to revisit a country they both loved.

Fred was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Stallings and Carolyn Payne, and his son, Gerhard “Gary” Steinegger.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jane Porter Steinegger; his son, Michael Steinegger; his daughters, Jill (George) Clogston and Judy Steinegger; and his grandson, Kyle Porter Clogston, all of Jonesboro.

He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.